Travellers who need to avoid gluten
You need a pretzel snack explicitly labelled gluten-free, and should also check the ingredients and any relevant allergen advice on the pack.
Which pretzel snack is right for you?
Families with several allergen requirements
You’re shopping for people with different dietary needs, so check for milk, egg, soya or sesame individually. A gluten-free label doesn’t answer these questions.
Day-trippers with flexible diets
You’re looking for pretzel snacks to take with you and are mainly concerned with pack size, preferred ingredients and suitable storage conditions.
What should you look for when buying?
When choosing pretzel snacks for the summer holidays, first check any essential dietary requirements, then look at other ingredients and allergens. Only after that should you consider pack size and how practical the snack will be to take with you.
Classic wheat pretzels
A good choice if: You don’t need a gluten-free option and are looking for a classic pretzel snack.
Keep in mind: Lorenz Saltletts Brezel contains wheat flour and barley malt extract; its vegan label doesn’t mean it’s gluten-free.
Gluten-free Salinis
A good choice if: You’re specifically looking for gluten-free pretzels and the other ingredients suit your needs.
Keep in mind: Schär Salinis contains soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame.
Gluten-free oat pretzels
A good choice if: You prefer an oat-based pretzel described as both gluten-free and vegan.
Keep in mind: Hammermühle notes that people with coeliac disease may tolerate gluten-free oats differently, and recommends seeking medical advice before eating them.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly gluten-free | Look for a ‘gluten-free’ label and read the ingredients on the pack you buy. If it contains oats, check that they’re explicitly labelled gluten-free. | If I need to avoid gluten, a vegan or wheat-free description alone isn’t enough. For around 50% of consumers, being strictly gluten-free is the top priority. |
| Other allergens and dietary requirements | Check the ingredients and allergen advice for each relevant allergen individually; don’t assume a Free-from claim applies to other ingredients. | When shopping for several people, I also need to consider requirements around milk, egg, soya or sesame. Around 30% of consumers place the greatest importance on checking these additional requirements. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the weight, condition of the pack and storage instructions. Only assume a pack is resealable if this is stated on the specific product. | For a day out, I want to take a suitable amount and store any leftovers as directed on the pack. Taking snacks along and storing them properly is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming vegan means gluten-free
A vegan pretzel can still contain gluten. Lorenz lists wheat flour and barley malt extract in its Saltletts Brezel.
If you need to avoid gluten, look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the ingredients on the pack you buy.
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Taking one Free-from label as a guarantee about all allergens
Schär Salinis is described as gluten-free and lactose-free, but contains soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame.
Check all ingredients and allergen advice relevant to you separately, rather than assuming one label tells you about other properties.
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Including gluten-free oats without checking first
Hammermühle notes that people with coeliac disease may tolerate gluten-free oats differently.
If this is relevant to you or your child, take the manufacturer’s recommendation to seek medical advice into account before buying a supply for the holidays.
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Assuming online product details match the pack you buy
Product information may differ from what’s shown on the pack in front of you. This is why the specific pack is what matters, especially for ingredients and allergens.
Before eating, check the ingredients, allergen advice and best-before date on the pack.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Schär
Salinis is a salted pretzel option explicitly described as gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free.
- The labels make it easy to check whether the product meets a specific dietary requirement.
- The ingredients include soya lecithin; Schär says it may contain traces of sesame.
Hammermühle
Bio Hafer Brezeln is described as gluten-free and vegan, with no added wheat.
- The oat base offers an alternative to the ingredients used in classic wheat pretzels.
- Hammermühle notes that people with coeliac disease may tolerate gluten-free oats differently; this product may contain traces of soya.
Lorenz
Saltletts Brezel is a classic wheat-based pretzel labelled vegan.
- The vegan label is relevant if this is one of your dietary requirements.
- Lorenz lists wheat flour and barley malt extract, and says the product may contain traces of milk, egg and sesame.
REWE frei von
REWE offers Bio Laugensticks labelled gluten-free in its pretzel and breadstick category.
- The gluten-free label makes this product worth considering when comparing options for a specific dietary need.
- For any other dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergen advice on the specific pack.
EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG
These salted pretzels are a classic wheat-based option in a 250-g pack.
- The stated pack size helps you compare how much you need.
- EDEKA lists wheat flour and wheat starch, and says the product may contain traces of milk. This option isn’t suitable if you need gluten-free food.
Joybuy products on this topic
Suitable products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘vegan’ on a pretzel pack enough if I need to avoid gluten?
No. Vegan refers to animal-derived ingredients, not gluten content. For example, Lorenz Saltletts Brezel is labelled vegan but contains wheat flour and barley malt extract. If you need to avoid gluten, an explicit gluten-free label is essential.
Are gluten-free pretzels automatically free from other allergens?
No. Schär Salinis is described as gluten-free and lactose-free, but contains soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame. Check every other relevant ingredient and any allergen advice on the specific pack.
What does ‘may contain traces of’ mean on pretzel snacks?
This doesn’t mean the named allergen is definitely present, but its presence can’t be ruled out. If you have an allergy, follow the medical advice you’ve been given about how to deal with this type of warning.
Are gluten-free oat pretzels always suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Not necessarily. For its gluten-free Bio Hafer Brezeln, Hammermühle notes that people with coeliac disease may tolerate gluten-free oats differently and recommends seeking medical advice before eating them.
How should I store pretzel snacks during a summer day out?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and keep dry snacks away from moisture and unnecessary heat. Hammermühle Bio Hafer Brezeln are specifically stated to require dry storage, away from heat and light.